Damien unlocked the door and Edi pushed into their apartment. Before the door closed, Edi wrapped her arms around Damien’s neck and pulled him down into a deep kiss. Damien could smell the sweet scent of lavender and vanilla on her skin. He drank in her warmth and buried his face into her neck calming and just existing.

“You should rest. You look absolutely dreadful.” Edi stroked his shaggy hair, “You should get a haircut. You always feel better afterward.” She pulled away and walked over to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a short loaf of bread and a jar of raspberry jam. Damien leaned on the counter as Fred made his way farther into the apartment. The apartment was humble. One room off to the left led into their bedroom and across the combined living room slash kitchen was a bathroom. Fred drifted through the couch and over to the window. The window showed a view out into the city beyond. From this high up you could almost see the crime scene in the distance.

“Thanks Edi. You make me feel wonderful about myself.”

“I am just being honest,” She replied grabbing the peanut butter from a cabinet and a plate from the rack beside the sink. She deftly sliced the bread and using the same knife globed on some of the jam and peanut butter before setting the whole concoction in front of Damien. She then proceeded to make herself one.

“I’m not hungry, my love. Fred is here.”

“I know he is. Send him away and eat.” She said, thrusting the bread knife toward the sandwich she made for him.

“We should look more into this murder. This guy killed four people and is still out there.” Edi took a big bite of her own sandwich and walked over to Damien’s plate. She picked it up and waved it in front of his face.

“Eat.” The word came out muffled from her full mouth. She swallowed. “We can focus on the case later today. You are going to eat and get some rest.”

Damien relented picking up the sandwich and forcing down a bite. The jam and peanut butter tasted like ash in his mouth. Everything did when he was bonded to a spirit. He did not need to eat, drink, or sleep. Everything around him seemed to lose a bit of luster. He didn’t let Edi know this. She knew the basics. It had become obvious in the beginning of their relationship when he would be up all night and day and night again with no rest. She never needed to know the dull feeling. The dead feeling that radiated from where his heart should be.

Edi finished her sandwich in record time. Fred made his way around to the kitchen, careful to avoid where Edi stood in the living room looking out the window. Damien managed another bite of the sandwich before setting it back on the plate.

“She is right you know. You can let me go out for the night. I can work on gathering some leads and I will be back in the afternoon. We could re-bond then,” Fred said.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“I know.” The truth was Damien enjoyed this empty feeling. The feeling gave him focus. Without it he had to slow down, take time to eat, waste time sleeping. No that just would not work, he thought, not with a maniac running around killing innocent people. He would have to care more about everything. The world would regain that luster, and he would be trapped beneath the weight of the world again. No. This was definitely better.

Edi made her way back to the kitchen and glanced at the half-eaten sandwich in front of Damien. Her light brown eyes locked with him in a disapproving stare. She smiled playfully at him.

“I know what will help. Come with me,” she said grabbing his hand and leading him to the bedroom.

“Edi, really, I should focus on work. Fred is still here,” Damien protested but he followed none the less. She pushed open the bedroom door and pulled Damien on top of her down on the bed. Early morning light was already flooding through the room. She kissed him passionately, losing herself in him for a moment. Damien let her lead, feeling the warmth of her body beneath him. It was easy to remember why he hunted villains and serial killers. The world needed to be a safer place for Edi.

The moment was ruined a brief time later as Fred floated through the wall. “Oooooh heating up in here, isn’t it?”

Damien sighed and buried his face in the blanket beside Edi’s head.

“What is it? Fred? Tell him he can’t watch.” Edi smirked. “Let him go out.”

Damien conceded. He raised up focusing energy up through his body. He raised a hand toward Fred, forcing the current of energy out through the tips of his fingers. Fred manifested. Damien watched as color returned to his form. Fred’s mohawk took on a multi-colored sheen. His shirt regained color, the faded ethereal blue becoming deep black. The blood consistently dripping from his wrists regained its deep crimson. Damien fell to the side onto the bed, exhaustion filling his body.

“Hi Freddie,” Edi said.

“Hello Edi.”

“Bye Freddie.”

“Bye Edi.”

Fred walked out of the room, this time taking the door. As he reached the door he stopped, slowly reaching for the door handle. He smiled as his hand made contact with the handle.

“Have fun you two.” Fred saluted before slamming the door a bit too hard.

A brief moment later came the sound of the apartment door opening and then slamming shut.

Edi had never been afraid of any of the spirits Damien had shown her. Last of all Fred. Edi gently climbed up on top of Damien. He opened his eyes to see her leaning down to kiss his lips. The familiar warmth washed through his body. This time unabated by the dull feeling that kept it contained. His exhaustion was still at the forefront of his mind. Edi noticed his hesitation as she leaned back up keeping her hands on his chest.

“I think you need some sleep,” she said, “and I know just the thing to help.” She pulled her shirt over her head smiling down at Damien again.

“Edi….” Damien started in a half-hearted protest. She pulled his hands up to her hips and leaned down to kiss him once more.

“Let me take care of you tonight,” She whispered. She reached down and began undoing his pants, fighting with the belt for a moment. Damien grabbed her and rolled her down on the bed causing her to yelp and let out a giggle. He took his shirt off and felt her warm hands trace a route over the numerous scars across his chest and stomach. He bent down and began kissing her once more. This time more demanding. She raked her nails down his back, and he allowed himself to be pulled into her affection.